I got my package from my swap partner gigglygirl! We both swapped for our children so she crafted for my two girls. We got our package a few days ago, but didn't get to open it until yesterday and didn't get to photograph everything until today. Even though I told the girls to keep everything together so we could document everything of course we had to go searching around the house to rally everything up! My partner made us two duplicate stockings and filler, but I just photographed one set of items. (Since I couldn't find the double of everything. Kids!)Also, genius having duplicates. My oldest said to her sister, "They are both the same so we don't even have to fight over them!" This is the type of house that does duplicates. She made of these cute cupcake stockings, and yes, the girls have already convinced me to let them use them as their official stockings this year! She tucked in some stuffers which were a hit, you may be able to make out "Lilys new notebook" scrawled on the cover of one already. Then she made each girl a doll and an angel ornament! Well, she said the angels were ornaments, but the girls like them too much to hang them up anywhere! They are in heavy play rotation already. Here is a really unflattering picture of the stocking stuffer doll she purchased and the blanket and pillow she made for them. I wrapped the doll in the blanket to try and hide the fact that her clothes are already missing so she's in her "panties". I came home from work last night to find my girls sleeping in bed together, each with her three dolls wrapped in their blankets and tucked in beside them. I tried to take a picture, but they were in the top bunk + flash lighting = worthless picture. And then she made them each a fabric tote bag (with pockets! I've never seen a 3 year old so excited about pockets) and she tucked in these fairy dolls to share. Which was a humongous hit, they were divied, claimed, and named as soon as I unwrapped each one. (They were put back in the package for the photos because the box is so beautiful with the rainbows for the background. 5 year old logic) Not shown were the chocolates which were promptly sampled, and then saved for later by the oldest, and greedily eaten behind the recliner in secret by the youngest.

This swap was so great! The girls were literally screaming with joy as they unpacked each item from the box, they were hugging and kissing each other and talking all day to eachother about their gifts. "Are you happy with your stocking sis?""Oh I'm so happy! I love it all!""I know! it's so awesome!" And then they played together with their toys for a solid 3 hours before I left for work and then all morning today! Happy playtime is worth it's weight in gold! Thanks so much for the awesome package gigglygirl, I hope your kids like their package half as much as mine did!

Last night was a big halloween party that I had to make 4 from scratch costumes for this month, now that obligation is off my plate I'm ready to craft up a storm! Already went to two craft stores to pick up more supplies and my daughters are even helping me to _____ some _____ ! (I just had to try putting in a _______ since it seems lots of people do that!)

I just got home and got my hoop delivered from whenindoubtsew! I should probably have waited until the morning sunshine to take pictures but I just couldn't wait, my hoop is so awesome! She actually picked my favorite word from my list and I love what she did! This hoop has it all going on, the letters are felt, there is sparkly thread (!) and of course, the gorgeous applique'd couple sucking face! I mean, romantically embracing Also, of course the stitching is impeccable, I could never stitch people to look that amazing, and I wish I could get my text to look so perfect too! Here is a closer shot of the couple and the sparkly thread, I wish I had better photography skills to show them off, my pictures don't do this justice.

These new hoops are all so great! I want them all on my wall! But I really like the canadian leaf and I want to know more about the technique for getting the comic print on the WHAM one. It looks flawless, my guess is modge podge? Also, I'm glad you like your hoop, whenindoubtsew, and I wanted to apologize for everyone for breaking the rules and sending her an extra, I didn't pay close enough attention to see that it is *forbidden! (to be said in a deep, earthquaky voice) Just kidding about that. What can I say, I am a middle child, I crave love and acceptance! This was my first swap and I'm still working the kinks out of the machine. I'm so happy I joined because I am always giving my non-crafty friends gifts and then running away embarrassed! Now I get to do that, but with people that "get it."